The ESOL teacher's role is multilayered and crucial in supporting English Learners within the educational system. Their duties and responsibilities encompass various aspects of identifying, supporting, and fostering the academic and social emotional growth of ELs.
ESOL teachers are responsible for actively identifying students who may be eligible for language assistance through the ESOL program. They conduct a weekly review of Infinite Campus ESOL Status reports to ensure accurate and timely identification and support.
Assessment certification and recertification are annual requirements for ESOL teachers, enabling them to administer the appropriate WIDA Screeners and ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 assessments. These assessments play a pivotal role in evaluating EL English proficiency and progress.
Effective communication with parents is a priority for ESOL teachers. They send the Initial Notification of ESOL Eligibility letter to parents of eligible students based on screening assessments administered within 30 days. Additionally, they issue annual Continuing Notification of ESOL Eligibility letters to parents of students who are eligible to continue in the ESOL instructional program. Upon parent initiated request, ESOL teachers send the Annual Parent Waiver of Direct ESOL program participation letter, respecting parents' choices and involvement in their child's education.
Maintaining accurate data is essential, and ESOL teachers diligently review data in Infinite Campus, the Student Information System, and Permanent Record folders. ESOL teachers must also maintain an additional “ESOL Green Folder” that is housed within the Permanent Record. The ESOL Green Folder outlines all of the EL program related documentation required to be kept on file for each EL.
In addition to administrative tasks, ESOL teachers actively engage in analyzing various student achievement and growth data to identify areas for academic improvement among English Learners. This data-driven approach informs their instructional planning and support strategies. The district utilizes numerous Tableau data dashboards for teachers and administrators to more effectively analyze various data. The new ESOL Dashboard provides a wealth of information for ESOL teachers as well as school and district-level administrators.
Instructionally, ESOL teachers provide quality instruction tailored to the diverse language proficiency levels of ELs. They collaborate closely with general education and special education teachers to create an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.
ESOL teachers are responsible for distributing instructional accommodation documents and ACCESS for ELLs/Alternate ACCESS score reports to teachers serving English Learners. They also initiate and convene annual EL/TPC Committee meetings for testing accommodations, attend RTI, SST, and IEP meetings for ELs, and serve as invaluable instructional resources to school personnel.
Recognizing the importance of continuous professional growth, ESOL teachers engage in ESOL professional development for school staff as required. They also are responsible for informing parents about instructional expectations, assessments, Title III and ESOL resources, and support services available to them.
A crucial aspect of their role is the monitoring and documentation of the progress of exited ELs (EL-1 & EL-2) for two years, ensuring continued support and academic success. Administrative responsibilities include the submission of ESOL documents and reports to the ESOL Office, including teacher schedules, FTE, and the Testing Accommodation Spreadsheet.
ESOL teachers collaborate closely with the school-based Parent Liaison to enhance EL parent participation, recognizing the importance of parental involvement in the educational journey of ELs. Furthermore, they actively attend required professional learning sessions and meetings to stay informed about the latest educational practices.
Year at a Glance